6 years ago the Brousseau's of Portland, Connecticut adopted a dog named Duke and he has now paid them back 100 times over for what they did for him. Duke is an ordinary shelter dog who did something extraordinary because they took a risk on an unwanted dog and gave him a chance.

Approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.3 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats. We estimate that the number of dogs and cats entering U.S. shelters annually has declined from approximately 7.2 million in 2011. The biggest decline was in dogs (from 3.9 million to 3.3 million).

Each year, approximately 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized (670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats). The number of dogs and cats euthanized in U.S. shelters annually has declined from approximately 2.6 million in 2011. This decline can be partially explained by an increase in the percentage of animals adopted and an increase in the number of stray animals successfully returned to their owners.

Approximately 3.2 million shelter animals are adopted each year (1.6 million dogs and 1.6 million cats). About 710,000 animals who enter shelters as strays are returned to their owners. Of those, 620,000 are dogs and only 90,000 are cats.

Back to our story: One night Duke jumped on his owner's bed and started shaking uncontrollably which alarmed them due to the fact that he is an extremely good dog.

This behavior was so bizarre it prompted Jenna and her husband to go check on their 9-week-old daughter, Harper. To their shock, Harper was not breathing and so they immediately called 911.

Duke's call for help saved the little girl. Harper is now doing just fine. "If Duke hadn't been so scared, we would've just gone to bed," said Jenna. Duke is a hero and well worth every adoption penny. If you are looking for a dog or cat, check your local shelters there are many amazing animals that just need to be given a chance!

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